What has been done to fix this problem? Was this the best solution to the problem? When the 21st of October, 1959, came the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ordered Chisso to pick up the pace on installing the wastewater treatment systems and also to switch the drainage of the Minamata Bay to Hyyakken Harbor. On the 19th of December 1959 there was a special ceremony, for the installation of the Chisso Corporation’s “Cyclator”.To demonstrate the Cyclator was safe Chisso’s president, Kiichi Yoshioka, drank a glass of water that may have been treated. At the time the wastewater from the plant was not treated through the Cyclator. When fed to cats it would lead to Minamata disease and the company also knew that it contained mercury. Later on, in the Niigata city was infected with the Minamata disease, it then proved that Chisso knew the Cyclator wasn’t working. Many people involved in the Minamata disease were fools into believing that the wastewater had been safe since December 1959. Because many thought it was safe, doctors weren’t expecting for new patients, but as the pollution continued there were many other problems in the following year. In many minds the Minamata disease had been resolved. This wasn’t the best solution because the “Cyclator” didn’t even fix up the problem. What measures have been put in place to stop it happening in the future? On the 26th of September 1968, 12 years after the discovery of the Minamata disease, the government announced an official conclusion towards the Minamata disease. The government announced that it is a disease of the central nervous system, a poisoning caused by long-term of consuming large amounts of fish and shellfish within the Minamata Bay. 50 years later (2006) a memorial service was held to mark 50 years since the discovery of the Minamata disease. Over 600 people had attended. Most patients are in their late 40-50s and their health is weakening. Their parents, in their 80s, are mainly the only source of care that they have. Unfortunately some patients haven’t had any care from their parent because some of them have already passed away.
When the 21st of October, 1959, came the Ministry of International Trade and Industry ordered Chisso to pick up the pace on installing the wastewater treatment systems and also to switch the drainage of the Minamata Bay to Hyyakken Harbor. On the 19th of December 1959 there was a special ceremony, for the installation of the Chisso Corporation’s “Cyclator”. To demonstrate the Cyclator was safe Chisso’s president, Kiichi Yoshioka, drank a glass of water that may have been treated. At the time the wastewater from the plant was not treated through the Cyclator. When fed to cats it would lead to Minamata disease and the company also knew that it contained mercury. Later on, in the Niigata city was infected with the Minamata disease, it then proved that Chisso knew the Cyclator wasn’t working. Many people involved in the Minamata disease were fools into believing that the wastewater had been safe since December 1959. Because many thought it was safe, doctors weren’t expecting for new patients, but as the pollution continued there were many other problems in the following year. In many minds the Minamata disease had been resolved. This wasn’t the best solution because the “Cyclator” didn’t even fix up the problem.
What measures have been put in place to stop it happening in the future?
On the 26th of September 1968, 12 years after the discovery of the Minamata disease, the government announced an official conclusion towards the Minamata disease. The government announced that it is a disease of the central nervous system, a poisoning caused by long-term of consuming large amounts of fish and shellfish within the Minamata Bay. 50 years later (2006) a memorial service was held to mark 50 years since the discovery of the Minamata disease. Over 600 people had attended. Most patients are in their late 40-50s and their health is weakening. Their parents, in their 80s, are mainly the only source of care that they have. Unfortunately some patients haven’t had any care from their parent because some of them have already passed away.
Bibliography:
http://rarediseases.about.com/od/rarediseases1/a/102304.htm
http://www1.american.edu/TED/MINAMATA.HTM
http://www.eninap.org/envdis/Minamata.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamata_disease